


aerstTey 


REPORT | | 


Committee on Conference 
with Other Christian People | 


TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT 
OF THE 


Committee on Denomination | 


TO THE | 
GENERAL CONFERENCE of 
Free Baptists 


October, 1907 





REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CONFERENCE 
WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN PEOPLE. 
TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF FREE 
Dlr 2451) 1 DEOL. a) LES Ea ad 
OCTOBER 1-8, 1907: 


MEMBERSHIP AND CHANGES 


1. At the last session of General Conference, held at 
Hillsdale, Mich., Sept. 6-13, 19004, a COMMITTEFR ON 
CONFERENCE WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN 
PEOPLE was appointed, “To meet similar committees, 
which may be appointed by other bodies, and consult re- 
specting doctrinal and other grounds of union,” and 
“report to the next session of General Conference.” 
This committee consisted of the following per- 
sons: Rev. G. H. Ball, D. D., New York; Rev. R. D. 
Lord, D. D., New York; Rev. Z. A. Space, New York; 
Rev. H. M. Ford, D. D., Michigan; President, J. W. 
Mauck, LL. D., Michigan; Mrs. F. L. Durgin, Minne- 
sota; Rev. R. R. Kennan, Minnesota ; Hon. G. F. Mosher, 
LL. D., Massachusetts; Mrs. S. C. G. Avery, New 
Hampshire; Rev. C. S. Perkins, D. D., New Hampshire; 
Hon. L. M. Webb, Maine, and Prof. A. W. Anthony, 
D. D., Maine. 

2. The committee organized by the choice of Prof. 
A. W. Anthony, D. D., chairman, and Rev. H. M. Ford, 
D. D., secretary. 

3. By vote of Conference the committee was em- 
powered “to fill vacancies in its membership, which may 
arise from death or permanent physical disability.” Twice 
during the three years, which have elapsed, has death 


t 


caused vacancies, removing two of our oldest and most 
venerated brethren, Rev. Charles S. Perkins, D. D., of 
New Hampshire, and Rev. George H. Ball, D. D., of 
New York. The vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Per- 
kins was filled by the election of Rev. Thomas H. Stacy, 
D. D., of Concord, New Hampshire, but the vacancy 
caused by the death of Dr. Ball still remains.open. It has 
seemed to the committee as though there could be no 
immediate successor to the man who, venerable in years 
and wisdom, had so long been an exponent of the sub- 
jects which the committee has been considering, and 
so ably and remarkably has-sustained all manner of right- 
eous work connected with the interests of education and 
religion, beth within our denomination and also far be- 
yond its borders As therefore the unridden horse ofa 
dead warrior is led in the funeral cortege, behind the 
body of his master, so we appear today reporting an 
unoccupied place in the membership of our committee. 


4. Rev. R. R. Kennan, of Minnesota, offered. his 
resignation as a member of the committee. His 
resignation has been accepted, but the vacancy thereby 
occutring has not been filled, owing chiefly to the fact 
that the committee was not fully assured that the power 
of substitution was intended to include vacancies arising 
through resignation. The committee therefore now re- 
porting to you consists of but ten members, nine. of 
whom are ‘members originally appointed | 


MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES 


5. There have been eight meetings of the cominittee, 
one at Hillsdale, Sept. 13,-1904,-soon after appointment, 
for organization; one at Ocean Park, July 14: and 15; 
1905, when a general policy to cover the proceedings of the 
committee, after two days of deliberation, was settled: 
upon; one in Brooklyn, New: York, on Nov. 14,-1905,: 
in anticipation of conferences with committees of other. 


2 


bodies; one on Nov. 15, 1905, and throughout the day, 
with a large and representative committee of the Dis- 
ciples, with an adjournment to: the afternoon of Nov. 
16; one on the 18th of November, in New York City, with 
the committee appointed by the National Council of 
Congregationalists, known as the Committee on Comity, 
Federation and Union; one on Nov 22, 1905, at Brooklyn, 
New York, with a committee of eminent Baptists repre- 
senting their missionary organizations; one at Ocean 
Park, July 31, 1907, for the formulation of plans: and 
recommendations to be presented here today; and one 
on Oct. I, 1407, at Cleveland, for the pose of the 
esi herewith presented. 

6. The meetings held in Brooklyn and New York eee 
held at that timie and place because of the large assem- 
blage, calling men of many denominations to the Inter- 
church Conference on Federation. 

7. By correspondence there has, been some Agee 
with the peopte known as the Church of God, and also 
with that section of our own denomination, which -in 
1892 severed itself from our present General Conference 
and has called itself the original Free Will Baptist Con- 
ference of North America. In an informal way individuals 
have met with representatives of the Disciples and the 
Baptists in interviews more or less frequent. Members 
of: the committee have also continued an extensive cor- 
respondence with brethren of their own body in various 
parts of the denomination, 


VARIED TENDENCIES. 
8. The committee at the outset recognized that its own 
functions were limited to the simple tasks of conferring 
with representatives of other bodies, and of then report- 
ing to this, our National Organization. While this task 
appears simple, yet it has not been easy to satisfy all 
members of ‘the denominations that our activities could 
go no further Early in our deliberation it was recog- 


3 


nized that four pronounced tendencies existed among 
our people: (1) To unite quickly with the Disciples. (2) 
To move toward the Baptists. (3). To join with the Con- 
gregationalists. (4) To remain as we were without 
any compromise or conference with other people. 

g. It may be regarded as fortunate that within the 
membership of the committee these different tendencies 
were manifest, so that the committee has. at no time been 
dominated by but one idea. It fairly represents, there- 
fore, the denomination as a whole. The conferences with 
the Disciples, Congregationalists, and Baptists, have been 
of the most cordial and pleasant kind, and have proven 
that among at least four different religious bodies there 
exists an essential unity of spirit which doubtless could 
easily find expression in more intimate relations and 
closer co-operation. 


THE FUNDAMENTAL FREE BAPTIST 
POSITION. 

ro. As the fundamental spirit in which this whole sub- 
ject of union is approached by our people, we recommend 
that this General Conference reaffirm the sentiments ex- 
pressed, first by the Twenty-sixth General Conference 
at Marion, Ohio, in 1886, and then by the Thirty-second 
General Conference at Hillsdale, Michigan, in 1904, as 
follows: 

Ii. (1) We believe in the spiritual unity of all the 
followers of our divine Lord, and desire so to manifest 
His spirit as to evince our unity with Him and with al! 
who love Him. 

12. (2) We are ready to form such alliances with 
other Christian bodies as may promise larger results in 
advancing our Lord’s kingdom. 

13. (3) We regard loyalty to Christ and the Bible, 
and the independence of the local church, as. a basis on 
which closer relationships with other Christian bodies. 
may be attained. 


THE CONGREGATIONALISTS AND DISCIPLES. 


14. The committees of both Congregationalists and 
Disciples believed, that by reason of similarity of Bap- 
tists and Free Baptists in name and history, as well as 
in spirit, genius, doctrine and polity, a union of Free 
Baptists and Baptists gave promise of earliest results, 
and because a larger union was the ultimate aim and 
hope of all, both of those committees in a graceful and 
fraternal spirit concurred in the judgment that it was 
wise for our formal conferences with them to wait on 
the issue of our current conferences with the Baptists. 

15. We have received from the committees of both 
Disciples and Congregationalists assurances that they 
will gladly renew conferences with us at a time of our 
choosing. 


THE CASE BETWEEN BAPTISTS AND FREE 
BAPTISTS 


16. The Baptists are not as yet a centrally organized 
denomination, although preliminary steps have been al- 
ready taken for the formation of a National Association. 
Our conference with them has been somewhat hampered 
by this lack of centralization. We have met individuals; 
we have met with a large and representative committee 
formed by a voluntary convention, and approved by their 
three leading gocieties; we have met members of 
the Executive Committees of the American Baptist 
Home Mission Society, and of the American Baptist 
Missionary Union. In a more or less informal way we 
have had conference with representatives of several of 
their state conventions. All of these interviews have 
been of the most cordial and friendly character. It is 
-not needful to rehearse in detail our deliberations during 
these several interviews. The record of the last annual 
meeting of the American Baptist Missionary Union, held 
in Washington, D. C., May, 1907, contains an account 


5 


sufficiently explicit, which at:the same time states their 
official action up to the present. The report of two of 
their committees to the Missionary Union is subjoined 
as follows: 


-REPORT OF BAPTIST COMMITTEES. 


1, Report of the joint committee on union batted 
Baptists and Free Baptists. _ 

TZ he the American Baptist Home Mission Society, 
~~ the American Baptist Missionary Union and the Amer- 

ican Baptist Publication Society. . 

18 Dear Brethren: Your committee of conference, 
appointed to represent the boards of the three societies 
in the matter of the Free axa DEES Denomination, respect- 
fully report: 

i9 They found that prior to their appointment, all 
three societies had voted unanimously at St. Louis, m 

May, 1905, 1 approval of the following statements: 

20 “We are of the opinion that the Baptists-and the 
Free Baptists are so near together in faith and practice 
that co-operation 1s not only ‘desirable, but may be made 
practical;” and the following were made a joint commit- 
tee to confer with a similar committee from the Free 
Baptists concerning such co-operation and a_ possible 
Oe of the two bodies: N. E. Wood, D. D., George 
Bullen, D. D., H. S. Burrage, D. D., Rev. E. Holyoke, 
W.C. P. Rhoades, D. D., Professor W. A, Stevens, A. 
S. Hobart, D. D., G. W. Lasher, D..D., A. G. Slocum, 
DD, D. W.. Hurlburt, DD, Ly. Crandall, DiD., 
and G. M. Peters. 

21 They also found that in N ovember, 1905, the com- 
mittee thus appointed met with the Free Baptist com- 
mittee in Brooklyn; and as a result of that conference 
adopted as its report at a meeting in Day ton, May, Ba 
the following: 

22. “Resolved, That the Baptists and the Free Baptists 
are so Closely related by a history which was long com- 
mon, and has always been kindred, that they enjoy closer 
‘personal fellowship and a greater similarity in genius and 
spirit than are common between two Christian bodies. 
It 1s recognized as a fact that the original occasion and 
cause of separation between our two bodies has practic- 


6 


“ally disappeared, and that in all the essentials of Chris- 
tian doctrine, as well as of church administration and 
“polity, we are substantially one.” 

23 They also found that the committee at Dayton 

concluded its report by recommending for adoption the 
following: 
24 “That while we reatiirm the autonomy of the local 
Baptist church, we recommend a free and fraternal in- 
terchange of members and ministers and extend a cor- 
dial invitation to Free Baptists to co-operate with us in 
our evangelistic, educational, missionary and all other 
denominational work, im the earnest hope that a com- 
plete, organic union of these two long separated bodies 
of Baptist believers may be brought to @ consummation 
am due time.” 


25 Your comnuttce found further that this Dayton 
report was presented to the Home Mission Society and 
adopted, with an additional vote referring the detail of 
the matter to the Board for adjustment. By an oversi ‘cht, 
however, the report was not presented to the Missionary 
Union nor to the Publication Society. The Home Mis- 
sion Board, feeling unwilling to conduct the matter thus 
inadvertently left upon their hands alone, sought a con- 
ference with representatives of the other societies. The 
Executive Committee of the Missionary Union appointed 
as their representatives: Thomas S. Barbour, D. D., 
Hens Making DD. J Fs Elder, DY D.; Rev. C. H. 
Moss and E. H. Stevens. The Publication Socicty ap- 
pointed Wayland Hoyt, D. D., A. J. Rowland, D. D., 
John W. Lyell, D« D. and Mr. J. Howard Gendell. The 
Home Missionary Society appointed A. S. Hobart, D. D., 
W. W. Pratt, D. D., Frank M. Goodchild, D. D., and 
Themas J. Villers, D. D. This general commuttee, which 
was made permanent by the several boards, met at the 
Home Mission Rooms in New York, October 29, 1906. 
‘ Rev. Edward Holyoke, E. E. Chivers, D. D., and H: L. 
Morehouse, D. D., participated in the deliberations. A 
second meeting of the committee was held at the Publica- 
tion Society's Rooms in Philadelphia, March 19, 1907, 
and a final meeting was held in New York City, April 
30, 1907. Ai 

~ 26 The committee have recognized that the issue upon 


a7 


which they have been asked to make report presents 
phases with which they are hardly competent to deal. 
They believe that the expediency and practicabiltiy of a 
complete denominational unton should have thorough 
and widely representative consideration before formal 
expression of representative judgment 1s attempted. 


27 For this reason and in view of the constitution of 
the committee as representing societics charged with 
distinctive forms of work, they have deemed it wise to 
restrict themselves to consideration of the question of 
co-operation or coalescence 1n dencminational activities. 


28 They believe ‘that as between bodies so closely 
idcnt'fied as the Baptists and Free Baptists, needless 
duplication of denominational institutions and agencies 
is to be deprecated on grounds al.ke of economy and fra- 
ternity. They have, therefore, recommendcd to the 
boards and Executive Comnuttce. by whom they were ap- 
pointed, that conference should be had by each of them 
with the corresponding board of the Free Baptist body, 
as to the practicability and desirability of co-operation 
or union of effort in these various forms of work. 

29 The committee would now recommend to the so- 
cieties that in case. as a result of these conferences, some 
form of co-operation or union is found to be practicable 
and desirable, its realisation shall be sought at the earliest 
possible tume. For the committee, 


THOMAS J. VILLERS, Secretary. 


20 I. The subcommittee appointed by the informal 
conference of representatives of the Free Baptists and 
the Executive Committee of the American Baptist Mis- 
sionary Unicn offered the following suggestions: 

31 The committee have understood that it was de- 
sired that they should frame a theoretically possible plan 
of union in foreign mission work, without expression of 
judgment as to the desirability of denominational union. 

32 Il. Thev believe that in case a general un‘on be- 
tween the two denominations ts effected, the problem of 
securing union in foreign missicn work would present 
little difficulty. At present with the Free Baptists the 
foreign mission work is a function of a general organi- 


8 


gation. With the Baptists, this work is conducted by a 
separate corporate body. It was stated by the Free Bap- 
tist representatives of the committee that, in their judg- 
ment, union may most wisely be effected if the organiza- 
tion ncw maintained by the Baptist body, namely, the 
American Baptist Missionary Union, shall vote to take 
up the foreign mission work of the Free Baptists and 
agree to maintain this work with the same interest with 
which its present work 1s conducted, the organization to 
be hereafter recogmzed as representative of the united 
bodies. 

33. Terms of membership in the Union shall apply 
without discrimination to all churches and members of 
churches now included in the two denominations. 

34 All persons who have held honorary or life mem- 
bership in the foreign missionary organisation of the 
Free Baptists should be recognized as holding similar re- 
lation to the Missionary Union. 

35 Il. As respects the practicability of action look- 
ing toward union in foreign mission work antecedent to 
general union of the two denominations, 1t 1s believed 
that doctrinal issues should offer no dificulty to such 
coalescence. It 1s understood that the practice of churches 
on the missicn field is the same in both denominations, 
baptism by immersion upon confession of faith in Christ 
being required in all cases as antecedent to church mem- 
bership; and it 1s understood that recogmtion of this 
position would be required in candidates for appoimtment 
to missionary service. 

360 In case co-operation in foreign mission work 1s 
entered upon, the following provisions are favored: 

1. The Missionary Unton shall conduct the foreign 
mission work of the two denominations. 

2. The union, in addition to its present name, “The 
American Baptist- Missionary Union,’ shall make use 
upon its literature of a secondary descriptive title, “The 
Foreign Missionary Organization of the Northern Bap- 
tists and the Free Baptists.” 

3. Membership shall be extended to Free Baptists on 
the same terms now applying to Baptists. 

4 So long as the individual basis of membership is 
retained, the list of honorary and life members of the 


9 


original missionary organization: of Free Baptists shall 
be revived and transferred to the Mi. isstonary Union. ‘ 

5s Official representation shall be given to Free Bap- 
tists as follows: 

(1) On the Board of Managers, a representation pro- 
portionate to the number of members i in the denomination, 

(2) On the Executive Committee, one representative 
of the Free Baptists in each of the three classes of mem- 
bers into which the committee.is divided. 

(3) Representation among the executive officials to 
be left for future decision, the suggestion being made 
that a field secretary from the Free Baptists, who shall 
do for the Free Baptist churches a work analogous to 
that of District Secretaries of the Union, should be ap- 
pointed at least during the early years of the new order, 
and that an assistant secretary from the Free Baptists 
should be appointed for the foreign department. 

(4) The BAPTIST MISSIONARY MAGAZINE 
to be conducted in the interests of the entire work. 


6 Under this arrangement, it shall be understood that 
churches hitherto designating their contributions for spe- 
cial work may continue so to do with the assurance that 
their donations will be used as designated. 


7 Itis realised that there 1s danger of decrease 1n the 
offerings of the Free Baptist churches through the adop- 
tiom cf this plan of co-operative work. It is recognised 
by Free Baptist members of this conference that the 
churches of the denomination should regard themselves 
as under honorable obligation to provide for equivalent 
of full support of the work hitherto conducted by them 
and the support of the general officers representing them. 
It 1s possible that definite safeguards against the danger 
noted may be desirable; but it ts thought that final judg- 
ment as to this may most wisely be left with the Exrecu- 
tive Commuttce who, as well as other-executive officers, 
will be representative of all interests and under whose 
leadership is hoped a great advance in interest and con- 
tributions may be reached by the churches of both denom- 
inations. 


8 As to Woman's Societies: It was found that the 
situation differs in the two denominations, the Woman's 
Society of the Free Baptists, unlike the woman’s organi- 


10 


zations among the Baptists, being independent of the 
general mission board, though now working in closer co- 
operation with tt than formerly. This society also, unlike 
the Baptist societies, engages in both home and foreign 
mission work. It ts suggested that the relation of the 
Woman's Free Baptist Society, both to the new consoli- 
dated general society and to the Woman’s Societies now 
existing among the Baptists, should be left for conference 
between representatives of these societies 1n case favor 
1s shown to the sea se plan for co- -operation in foreign 
mission work, 


GEORGE B. HUNTINGTON, Clerk. 


SEE EA OF CONFERENCE WITH BAPTI STS. 


Action. on these reports was taken by the American 
Baptist Missionary Union, May 16, 1907, as follows: 
37. “It was voted to adopt, as recommended. by the 
Board, the report of the joint commuttee on the union 
between Baptists and Free Baptists, with the addition of 
the words, ‘with the concurrence of the other societies.” 

38 It was voted to appoint a committee for conference 
with representatives of the Free. Baptists, with a view 
to discussion of the desirability of coalescence in foreign 
mission work on the general basis indicated in the sug: 
gestion contained in “IP”... The following committee was 
chosen: N..E. Wood, D. D., A. S, Hobart, D. D., George 
Ce Whitney, L. A. (oe an bbe est iet lV . Ree De Des 
Mornay Williams, I. B. ‘Mower, D. D., E, S. Osgood, 
E. W. Hunt, D. D., Thomas S. Barbour, D. dD, 


39. The first definite step was the Brooklyn Declara- 
tion of November 22, 1905, at a joint conference between 
our Committee of Twelve, appointed in 1904, and a com- 
mittee of like number, appointed jointly in May, 1905, 


a 


by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, The 
American Baptist Missionary Union, and The American 
Baptist Publication Society—that declaration, aye 
above, was as follows: 


“Resolved: That the Baptists and Free Baptists are 
so closely related by a history which was long common, 
and has always been kindred, that they enjoy a closer 
personal fellowship and a greater similarity in genius 
and spirit than are common between two Christian 
bodies. It is recognized as a fact that the original oc- 
casion and cause of separation between our two bodies 
has practically disappeared, and that in all the essentials 
of Christian doctrine as well as of church administration 
and polity, we are substantially one.” 


40. The Baptist committee reported to the Home Mis- 
sion Society at Dayton in May, 1906, including the above 
Declaration, and recommend an interchange of members 
and ministers, and an invitation to Free Baptists to co- 
operate in all denominational work, “in the earnest hope 
that a complete organic union may be consummated in 
due time.” That report was adopted by the Baptist 
Home Mission Society, and the details of the proposed 
co-operation were referred to its executive board, which 
duly worked out a provisional plan; but by an oversight 
the report was not presented to the Foreign Missionary 
Union, or the Publication Society. 


41. Upon the failure of concurrent action by the three 
societies, their executive boards appointed another joint 
committee, which, at Washington, in May, 1907, reported 
to the three societies, reciting the report of the original 
Baptist Committee, and concluding with the four para- 
graphs marked 26, 27, 28, 29. These paragraphs ap- 
pear to be the latest official expression of the Baptist 
brethren, so far as known to our committee, upon the 
general question of union. The record, as we have it, 


12 


indicates that the American Baptist Missionary Union 
voted to adopt this report of the second Committee of 
Baptists “with the concurrence of the other societies,” 
but does not reveal what action the other two societies 
may have taken, 

42. Between the annual meetings of 1906 and 1907 
of the three Baptist societies, an allied but independent 
movement originated in conferences between the Execu- 
tive Committee of the American Baptist Missionary 
Union as one party, and a company of individual! Free 
Baptists (some of whom are members of our committee 
now reporting) as the other parties. Those conferences 
were upon the particular question of union or coalescence 
in foreign mission work only. Such union or coalescence 
might be effected by the Baptist Missionary Union and 
our General Conference, as far as legal aspects are in- 
volved, without concurrence of the other two Baptist 
Societies. 

The above report “II” (numbered 35 and 36) re- 
sulted from those informal conferences and the Baptist 
Missionary Unicon has appointed a committee to confer 
in the matter with any representatives of the General 
Conference of Free Baptists. 

43. As our committee understands it, the Baptist 
brethren, as represented by the second committee, desire 
further time to consider and exchange views among 
themselves as to the expediency and practicability of a 
complete denominational union, deem it wise to “restrict 
themselves to consideration of co-operation or coalescence 
in denominational activities,” and favor further confer- 
ence upon the practicability and desirability of co-opera- 
tion or union of effort in those forms of work which 
now involve needless duplications of denominational in- 
stitutions and agencies. At least one of the three repre- 
sentative societies has approved this position of the com- 
mittee. 


44. In brief, the Baptists have not agreed among 
themselves that a complete denominational union is ex- 
pedient or practicable at present. : 


45. On the other hand, the Baptist Missionary Union 
has appointed a committee to confer upon coalescence in 
foreign work, on the general basis of the report marked 
“TT” above. 


REPEY*1@ JHE sbAL LI Sa >, 


46. Inasmuch as immediate organic union with the 
Baptists appears obviously impracticable, we recommend, 
(1) as to sentiment, that this Conference approve and 
adopt as its own the sentiments which, first formulated by 
the joint committee of Baptists and Free Baptists, meet- 
ing in Brooklyn, New York, November 22, 1905, was 
adopted by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, 
at Dayton, Ohio, in May, 1906: 


“Resolved: That the Baptists and the Free Baptists 
are so closely related by a history which was long com- 
mon, and has always been kindred, that they enjoy closer 
personal fellowship and a greater similarity in genius 
and spirit than are common between two Christian bodies. 
It is recognized as a fact that the original occasion and 
cause of separation between our two bodies has practic- 
ally disappeared, and that in all the essentials of Chris- 
tian doctrine as well as of church administration and 
polity we are substantially one;’ and, 


47 (2) As to action, in the spirit of cordial reciprocity 
we recommend that a committee of conference with Bap- 
tists be appointed to further consult respecting doctrinal 
and other grounds for union between Baptists and Free 
Baptists, in order, that “in case some form of co-opera- 
tion or union is found to be practicable and desirable, its 
realization shall be sought at the earliest possible time.” 


14 


CAUTIONARY CONSIDERATIONS. 


48 As expressed by the Thirty-second General Conference 
at Hillsdale, Michigan, Sept. 12, 1904, we “deem no dis- 
cussions of union and no movements for union wise or 
honorable to all the interests involved, which do not con- 
template and do not promote the union of the whole de- 
nomination as a body.” We, therefore, do not approve 
the plan of co-operation or coalescence in foreign mis- 
sion work, which the American Baptist Missionary Union 
has proposed or approved, save only as a clearly and 
definitely recognized step toward organic union, toward 
which such co-operation, or coalescence, must naturally 
and inevitably lead. We deem it necessary, therefore, 
to consider fully, and decide finally, the larger question 
of complete organic union, before entering upon any plan 
of partial union. 

We regard it necessary to hold in abeyance all ques- 
tions of union which may affect local churches and in- 
dividuals, until these greater questions have been settled, 
for the local church and the individual have obligations 
to the whole which cannot be honorably ignored and set 
aside. 


Respectfully submitted, 


ALFRED WMS. ANTHONY, 
HENRY M. FORD, 
JOSEPH W. MAUCK, 
LINDLEY M. WEBB, 
THOMAS H. STACY. 
SARAH C. G. AVERY, 

LOU M. P. DURGIN, 
RIVINGTON D. LORD, 
GEORGE F. MOSHER. 
ZEPHANIAH A. SPACE. 


- Cleveland, O., Oct. 2, 1907. 
15 


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON DENOMINATION. 


In reviewing the present condition of the Denomination, 
as compared with that of three years ago, there appear 
many catses of great encouragement and of profound 
gratitude to God. 


PRESENT CONDITION OF DENOMINATION. 


(1) The denomination has become unified and solidi- 
fied as never before. At the time of the last General 
Conference, fears, which d:d not appear unfounded, 
were entertained that there might be a breaking up of 

the denomination on this question of union, some going 
one way, some another. But there have been no .seces- 
sions. Denominational loyalty, deep and consistent, has 
steadily increased; internal unity has been established. 

During the three years, the efforts of the Joint Com- 
mittee representing the Free Baptist Woman’s Missionary 
Society, and the General Conference have reached the 
happy completion of a plan of co-operation, acceptable 
to both parties, not only in theory, but as proven in the 
actual practice of a year’s experience. These results, 
begun by the appointment of the Committee in 1898, 
after nine years, yield most important elements of de- 
nominational unity and strength, both in Foreign Fields 
throughout all our missionary activity and in the Home 
Fie'd, reaching to the outermost circle of local churches. 

During the last three years, the care and executive ad- 
ministration of the young people’s societies, of mission 
study classes, and of many features of young peopies 
work, or worx for young people, have come under the 
direction of the Conference Board, thus harmonizing 
and unifying with the broader plans of the whole de- 
nomination these most important interests. 

As at no time in the past, the yearly meetings, State 
Association and other subsidiary bodies of which our 
denomination is composed, have turned toward the de- 
nominaticnal center for advice and direction. The sense 
of fraternity, sympathy and co-operation has been won- 
derfully augmenting. 

(2) The condition of the financial resources of the 
denomination has improved to a no less remarkable de- 


16 


eree. The permanent fund of the General Conference 
three years ago, amounted to $55,922.77; now it is 
$142,799.71; an increase of $86,876.94. 

' More significant still, as indicating the growth of 
benevo'ence in the denomination, is the steady increase 
‘in contributions for Foreign Missions, and other causes. 
In 1898 the contributions reported of the previous year 
for Foreign Missions were $12,926.73; in Icor, $14,- 
544.27; in 1904, $18,c80.72, and in 1907, $26,179.19; 
that is, in nine years the contributions for foreign mis- 
sions have more than doubled, and this has reference to 
the gifts of the living only (not bequests) and for one 
object through but ome treasury. During the last three 
years our Foreign Mission treasury has been relieved of 
a troublesome debt of more than $8,000. During the last 
three years also, an indebtedness of $5,000 against the 
treasury of the Educational Fund has been discharged 
‘without special appeal or effort, an obligation which has 
been carried for more than twenty years. 


In the meantime our schools and colleges nett made | 
gains in material equipment, in buildings. and in funds, 
which may well be characterized as remarkable. Our 
churches and parishes have added new meeting houses 
and parsonages. Our property in the mission fields, in 
India and in Africa, has been improved and increased; 
-and a new mission field in Barbadoes comes to us, al- 
ready with an efficient equipment, asking to be recognized 
as ours. 

During the three years past, our Morning Star, bestead 
by conditions in the publishing world, wholly beyond its 
control, has been put upon a sound financial basis through 
the generous offerings of many friends east and west. 

(3) In common with other branches of the Great 
Kingdom of Christ, the denomination has experienced a 
gracious quickening, giving notable accessions to our 
membership and re sulting in a united evangelistic move- 
ment still in fruitful and promising vigor. 


EL pao el De LO b UNION. 


In view of these many tokens of Divine favor and of 
human good will and accord, our denomination faces 


17 


with confidence the many perplexing . and © difficult 
problems of union. 

We reaffirm, as the fundamental spirit. in which this 
whole subject of union should be approached by our 
people, the sentiments expresed, first by the Twenty- 
sixth General Conference at Marion, Ohio, in 1886, and 
then by the Thirty-second General Conference at Hills- 
dale, Michigan, 1904, as follows: 

(1) We believe in the spiritual unity of all the fol- 
lowers of our divine Lord, and desire so to manifest His 
spirit as to evince our unity with Him and with all who 
love Him. 

(2) We are ready to form such alliances with other 
Christian bodies as may promise larger results in ad- 
vancing our Lord’s kingdom. 

(3) We regard loyalty to Christ and the Bible, and 
the independence of the local church, as a basis on which 
closer relationships with other Christian bodies may be 
attained. 

We propose the following reply to our brethren of 
the Church of Christ: 


“REPLY TO THE’ DISCIPLES. 


Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1907. 
To the American Christian Missionary Convention, 

Through tts Comittce on Conference, Rev. E. B. 

Wakefeld, D. D., Chairman, Hiram, Ohio. 

Dear and Honored Brethren: The General Confer- 
ence of Free Baptists in its Thirty-third triennial session 
at Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 1-8, 1907, received from its 
Comunittee on Conference with other Christian People, 
a report of their conferences with your committee, which 
were held in Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 15 and 16, 1905, and 
carricd on by correspondence and by personal interviews 
between individuals of the two committees. | 

We wish to assure you of our hearty appreciation of 
the remarkable missionary seal and activity of your 
people; and of our most cordial esteem and fraternal 
regard. Our Conference in 1886, again in 1904 and at 
this present session has afirmed the following sentiments 
as the fundamental spirit in which the subject of union 
should be approached: | cent 


18 


_ t.. We believe in. the spiritual unity of all the followers 
of our divine Lord, and desire so to manifest His spirit 
“as to evince our unity with Him and with all who love 
Him, 3 : 
2. We are ready to form such alliances with other 
bodies as may promise larger results in advancing our 
‘Lord’s kingdom. 

3. We regard loyalty to Christ ee the Bible, and the 

independence of the local church, as a basis on which 
closer relationships with other. Chmsstian POGAES may be 
“attained. 
While in our conference with your committee, di- 
vergences appeared, chiefly however 1n regard to names 
and forms of expression, and none apparently insuper- 
able, yet, your committee recognized that; by reason of 
similarity of Baptists and Free Baptists in name and 
history, as well as in spirit, genius, doctrine and polity, 
a union of Free Baptists and Baptists gave promise of 
earliest results, and because.a larger union was the. ulti- 
mate aim and hope of us.all, your committce in a graceful 
and fraternal spirit concurred with ours in the judgment 
that tt was wise. for further formal conferences with your 
people to watt on the issue of. our current conferences 
with the Baptists.. 

May the Great Head of the Church bless all. your 
activities and ministries to the extension of His kingdom 
and the glory and honor of His name. 

By order of the General Conference of Free Baptists 
im session at Cleveland, Olio, Oct. 7, 1907. 


(Signed) 


JOSEPH W, MAUCK, President. 
Ne SeePURINDTON »Clerk: 
We propose the following reply to our brethren of the 
Papet cen ule Churches : 
Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1907. 
To. the National. Council of Congregational Churches, 
Through its Committee on Comity, Federation and 
Unity, “Rev. William Hayes Ward, D. D., 430 Fulton 
St., New York. City. 
Dear and Honored Brethren: The Sabato C Sicrace 


19 


of Free Baptists in its Thirty-third triennial session at 
Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 1-8, 1907, received, from its Com- 
mittee on Conference with othe Christian People, a re- 
port of their conference with your committee, which was 
held in New York City, Nov. 18, 1905, supplemented by 
correspondence and personal interviews between indi- 
vidual members of the two committees. 

We wish to express our high appreciation of the un- 
failing courtesy and consideration with which, in a fair 
minded and tolerant spirit, both our people as a whole 
and our churches in various parts of the country, have 
been treated by your people. We appreciate your history, 
your consistent ecclesiastical independency, your large 
contributions to education and to Christian citizenship, 
and the spirit of Christian service with which vou are 
attempting to. mect and relieve social problems today with 
the principles of Jesus Christ. 

Our conference in 1886, again in 1904 and at this 
present session has afirmed the following sentiments as 
the fundamental spirit in which the subject of union 
should be approached by our people: 

tr. We beheve in the spiritual unity of all the followers 
of our divine Lord, and desire so to manifest His spirit 
as to evince our unity with Him and with all who love 
Him. : | 

2. We are ready to form such alliances with other 
Christian bodies as may promise larger results in ad- 
vancing our Lord’s kingdom. 


3. We regard loyalty to Chnst and the Bible and the 
independence of the local church, as a basis on which 
closer relationships with other Christian bodies may be 
attained. 

In our conference with your committee, your com- 
mittee recognized that, by reason of similarity of Bap- 
tists and Free Baptists in name and history, as well as 
in spirit, genius, doctrine and polity, a union of Free 
Baptists and Baptists gave promise of earliest results, 
and because a larger union was the ultimate aim and hope 
of us all, your committee in a graceful and fraternal 
spirit concurred with ours, in the judgment that 1t was 
wise for further formal conference with you to wait on 
the issue of our current conferences with the Baptists. 


20 


May. the Great Head of the Church bless all your 
activities and ministries to the extension of His kingdom 
and. the honor and glory of His name. 

By order of the General Conference of Free Baptists 
in session at Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1907. 


(Signed) 
JOSEPH W. MAUCK, Pres. 
N.S. PURITON, Clerk. 


With reference to union with the Baptists, we affirm 
the sentiments agreed to by our committee on Confer- 
efice in session with a committee of Baptists at Brooklyn, 
N. Y. Nov. 22, 1905, which was approved by the 
American Baptist Home Mission Society at Dayton, 
Ohio, in May, 1906, and by the American Baptist Mis- 
sionary Union, at Washington, D. C., in May, 1907, with 
the proviso that it receive concurrent approval of the 
other Baptist Societies. 

It was also approved in May, 1907, by the American 
Baptist Publication Society. That expression of senti- 
ment is: 

“Resolved: That the Baptists and Free Baptists are se 
closely related by a history which was long common, and 
has always been kindred, that they enjoy closer personal 
fellowship and a greater similarity in genius and spirit 
than. are common between two Christian bodies. [ft 1s 
recogmzed as @ fact that the original occasion and cause 
of separation between our two bedies have practically dis- 
appeared, and that m all the essentials of Christian doc- 
trine as well as of church administration and polity, we 
are substantially one.” 

To the proposal of the American Baptist Missionary 
Union to co-operate or coalesce in the Foreign Mission 
work, we recognize the following obstacle: 


- Our Baptist brethren, organized as they are with no 
ecclesiastical body higher than their state conventions 
and societies, created for special activities, find it diffi- 
cu't to treat with us as a whole upon questions which 
relate both to them and to us as wholes, while we have 
settled it as a policy, according to action taken at Hills- 
dale, Mich., in 1904, that we “deem no discussion of union 


21 


and:no movements for union wise or honorable to all 
the interests involved, which-do not contemplate and do 
not promote the union of the whole denomination as a 
body, and not the un:on or consolidation of local churches 
and associatoins, which would be denominational : disin- 
tegration.” 

Because of this difference in organization and because 
of this settled policy to act as a who!e, we deem it unwise 
at this time to entertain the proposition to co-operate, or 
coalesce, in foreign mission work, or to combine in any 
other sphere of denominational activity, before the main 
question of union of the denomination as a whole has 
been decided. 

The Committee on Denomination recommends that a 
Convention on Ccnference with other Christian People, 
consisting of twelve persons, be appointed to meet with 
a committee, or committees of the Baptists, or with other 
Committees of Christian bodies, and consult respecting 
doctrinal and other grounds of. union, and report. to 
Conference Board. 

We would instruct the Committee appointed to confer 
further upon this subject, to invite the Baptists to formu- 
late with them, antecedent to further discussions, some 
statement of common belief, or at least some statement 
which may indicate a common principle under which our 
differences in belief and practice, so far as they still sur- 
vive, may be tolerated in associational fellowship; such 
agreement to be submitted to the constituent bodies of 
this General Conference by the Conference Board. 

We propose the following reply to our Baptist 
brethern: 

Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 7th, 1907. 
To the American Baptist Mission Society, the American 

Baptist Missionary Union, the American Baptist Pub- 

lication Society, and other Baptists of North Amertca, 

through their comnuttecs on conference with Free Bap- 
tists, Professor A. S. Hobart, D. D., Chairman, Ches- 
ter, Pa; 

Dear and Honored Brethren: The General Confer- 
ence of Free Baptists in its thirty-third triennial session 
at Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 1-8, 1907, received, from its 
Committee on Conference With Other Christian People, 
a report of their Conference with your committee, which 


22 


was held in Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1905, and supple- 
mented by correspondence and personal interviews be- 
tween. imdividual members of the two committees. 


We have reatirmed the sentiments respecting the 
fundamental spirit with which our people approach the 
subject of union, as first expressed in 1886 and reiterated 
im 1904, as follows: 


tr. We believe in the spiritual unity of all the fol- — 
lowers of our divine Lord and desire so to manifest His 
spirit as to evince our unity with Him and with all who 
love Him, 


-2. We are ready to form such alliances with other 
Christian bodies as may promise larger results in advanc- 
ing our Lord’s kingdom. 


3. We regard loyalty to Christ and the Bible, and the 
independence of the local church, as a basis on which 
closer relationships with other Christian bodies may be 
attained. 

We have affirmed the sentiments adopted by our Joint 
Committes at Brooklyn in November, 1905, and approved 
by your Home Mission Society in May, 1906, and your 
Missonary Union and Publication Society 1 May, 1907, 
as follows: : 

“Resolved: That the Baptists and the Free Bapiists 
are so closely relatd by a history which was long common, 
and has always been kindred, that they enjoy closer per- 
sonal fellowship and a greater similarity in genius and 
spirit than are common between two Christian bodies. 
It is recogmzed as a fact that the original occasion and 
cause of separation between our two bodies has practic- 
ally disappeared, and that in all the essentials of Chris- 
tian doctrine as well as of church administration and 
polity, we are substantially one.” 


We have appointed a committee for further considera- 


23. 


tion of this subject with your committee or committees, 


consisting of the following persons: 
Prof. A. W. Anthony, D. D., 


Pres. J. W. Mauck, LL. D., 
Rev. H. M. Ford, D. D.., 
WCET BLOT Lie 
Rey..0. Wd. Ratch.D, 2, 
Rev. Ci. Cate, D..D., 
Mrs. Lucy Phillips Durgin, 4. M. 
Mrs. Sarah C. G. Avery, 
HonsG: F. Mosher, LED. 
Pres. Jo Me Davis, Phe, 
ROU Sia CY, ee, 
Pres. Z. A. Space, 


Lewiston, Me., 
Chairman. 
Hillsdale, Mich. 
Hillsdale, Mich. 
Brookiyn, N. Y. 
Greenville, R. I. 
Providence, R. J. 
Winnebago, Minn. 
Wells, Me. 
Boston, Mass. | 
Rio Grande, Ohio. 
Concord, N. H. 
Keuka Park, N.Y. 


May the Great Head of the Church bless all your 
activities and minstries to the extension of His kingdom 
and the honor and glory of His name. 


By order of the General Conference of Free Baptists 
in session at Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 7th, 1907. 


(Stgned) 


JOSEPH W. MAUCK, President. 
N. S. PURITON, Clerk. 


Respectfully submitted, 


ALFRED WMS. ANTHONY, 
RIVINGTON D. LORD, 
GEO. F. MOSHER, 

LEWIS B. STILLMAN, | 
GEO. E. BARNARD. 


24. 








